Built-up shaft or rod and the like and method of producing same



Oct. 23, 1928. 1,688,569

11. WENSEL BUILT UP SHAFT OR ROD AND THE LIKE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING SAME Filed June e, 1927 j 0 72761" 0630.1. 7 JZ/weZ/ Patented Get. 23, 1928. I

TEs

THEODOR WENSEL, OE CHICAGO ILLINOIS. I

BUILT-UP SHAFT on non AND'TIIE LIKEAND MErHon or. zenonucrne SAME.

Application filed. nine 6, 1927. Serial m. 196,804.

rods, and the like, which has the desired.

springiness orwhip and is unafiected by atmospheric changes.

A further object of the invention is to pro videa novel method of producing such a structure, which method insures a standard of production wherein the same weight, whip and other characteristics desired are attained in all structures made in accordance with the method.

To this end the structure is, made of strips of long straight fibrous material such as found in certain woods and in bamboo and these strips are segmental or wedge shaped in cross section, with the grain in each segment extending parallel with one of. the longer sides of the segment, which side is disposed radially in the structure. By this radial arrangement of the grains on one side. of each segment,jthere is always assured, 1n

the bending or flexing of the structure, that such bending or flexing will always take place in the plane of the grain edges of op- I positely disposed segments, which results in a quick, snappy return to a true straight condition. 1 r As an example of one of the embodiments of the invention, I employ or use bamboo which because of its more favorable characteristics readily lends itself to the carrying 'out of the improved method, but this use is to be'considered as illustrative only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a View in elevation of apiece of bamboo, wlth 'parts broken away to more,

clearly show the structure thereof.

' Fig. 2 is an end view of the same on an enlarged scale, as when split into halves.

Fig. '3 isfan end view of strip after the halves shown in Fig. 2 have been split up into strips of less width.

Fig. 4 is an end'view of coasting. dies by g the splitting follows the grain so that the which the strips shown in Fig. 3 are acted 'upon to straighten and'flattenthe same.

of a strip after the Fig. '5 is a View similar to F ig.4 with one of the stripsof Fig. 3 in placetherein, before the associated dies have been brought together. I I i Fig. 6 is aview' similar to Fig. 5 after the dies have been brought together to straighten and flatten a strip.

Fig. 7 is an endview onan enlarged scale I I same has been straightened and flattened.

I Fig. 8 is anotherview of the strip after a further operation hasfbeen produced there on to give it a wedge shaped cross section.

F 1g. 9 is an end View of a full complement of such wedge shaped strips, cemented and grouped about a'co'mmonaxis and bound round for setting.

n Fig. 10 is an end view of a finished rod after being turned to shape and size.

In order that the method be more clearly understood I will describe the same as when bamboo is employed as the material operated upon to produce the finished built up structure.

Bamboo which is classed" as a member of I "the cane family has a long straight fibrous grain. It comprisesa tubular hollow body 1 havmg annular joints or nodes-2 at certam intervals, the cavity or interior of the ameltis dense and'more compact in its fibrous arrangement than the inner portion 5 I stem being closed off by. diaphragms 3 at i I each joint or node.

of the body, which is more or less pithy.

The fibers or grain of the body are substantially straight from end to end and said body has the characteristic of permitting a split ting or cleaving which follows the fibers or grain.

In carrying move the nodes 2 therefrom in any suitable manner to provide a smooth uninterrupted exterior surface. longitudinally into sections or halves as shown in Fig. 2 after which the transverse wall parts left by the diaphragm portions 3, during this splitting, are removed in any suitable out the invention, I take a I piece of bambool of suitable length and re The bamboo is then's plit manner to leave a smooth interior surface.

'. By splitting I do not mean ripping as with a saw, but I employ a cleaving action wherein fibers are not cut transversely as wouldihapends which I wish to avoid.

- zoidal sections 6, one of which is best shown in Fig. 3. Because of the following of the grain in splitting, it is apparent that the lateral edges of each section will not be exactly straight or parallel and the'inner and outer surface of each section will beconcavo-convex is readily apparent- After thus providing such. split sections,

'I treat them in a manner making them transformable under pressure, which treatment also renders them waterproofnwhen incorporated in the finished article. 7 Either of two methods of such treatmentmay be employed with substantially'the same advantageous re sults and for convenience I have termed them the"hot or heat? and the cold treatments respectively. Under the hot .or heat treatment I prepare. asolution of the following ingredients: 3 oz. amyl acetate, 1 02. aniline oil, 1% oz. turpentine, 5 oz. wood alcohol.

I These ingredients after being well mixed are allowed to stand from twenty fourlto forty-eight hours. I then miX therewith the desired amount of celluloid in small pieces to bring the solution to the consistency of a inedium oil; the celluloid pieces going into solution. F'Ihis solution is brought to a suitable heat in a closed vessel to prevent evaporav tion and the split bamboo strips before mentioned are soaked therein for about fortyeightihoursi so as to become thoroughly impregnated therewith; after which the impregnated strips are further treated as Will later appear.

,tionof the following ingredients: 8 oz.water, oz. bichromate of potash, 1 oz. white glue.

Under the cold treatment I prepare a solu The potash is first dissolved in the Water and the glueithen added thereto. WVhen all dissolved, the splitbamboo strips are placed therein for about 24: 'hoursand will become impregnatedtherewith, after which they are (treated as will further appear.

After they strips have been impregnated )9. It is to be noted from Fig. 9 that when with the solution and before drying I sub ,ject each'stripto pressure in a suitable die whereby it is not only fiattened, but its lateral edges are straightened, and its cross sectional shape is changed'to rectangular. .In carrying .out thisstep of the process I provide a chanv nel shaped female die such as best shown in" l ig. 4:. This die has an upwardly opening groove 7 with a flat bottom 8 the sides of said groove being partly upright and parallel as verg-ing as at 10 to provide a substantially at 9 and partly upwardly and outwardly diwide mouth '11 therefor. 12 indicates the associatedmale die which is of a cross section ,correspondmg to thebottom portlon of said groove. I place one of the treated strips in 1,688,569 5 a i y the female die as shown in Fig. 5, with the enameled side 4 of said strip (downward), after which said dies are; moved relatively, the one toward the other. This pushes the strip into the bottom of the groove the side margins of the strip? being therein straightened and the top and bottom surfaces thereof -l eihgflattened outso tlratthest'rip takes'on a symmetrical rectangular cross section. of a dimension greater in onedirection than the other. fibers of the strip and renders it more dense or solidified asis best shownin Fig. 6J

it. is removed j from thedie as aperfectly This operation also compresses the p Q After the strip has been thus operated upon,

straight one, with right angle sides and top and bottom surfaces as best shown in'Fig. 7..

If the strip has been treated under the col :l solution beforementioned, t isfdried and then exposed to sunlight fora while. fShouldit.

be stained from the potash, it is againwashed and again put under pressure as before which will reset it. I when the strips have beenv hot or' heat treated. As. best shown in "Fig. '7, the

enameled surface a now extends parallel with one of the wider surfaces ofthe stripf I" However, this is not necessary The next operation is to split the straightened strip in a plane inclined to any oneiof said surfaces and this plane extends from one top corner to. the oppositebottom corner as indicated by the line 13 insaid 7. 'I have thus produced two half strips 1et14 ofa three sided segmental or wedge shaped cross section and I retain that segmental strip 14;

as shown in Fig. 8 which includes the enameled surface 4: for further operat on and discard the other segmental strip 14 which be 7 cause it contains substantiallyall the unenameled and pithy part of the bamboo is not sostrong'andusable. i .7 I

I then take the desired number of strips of segmental: cross section group 1 them radially about, a common axis after applying awaterproof adhesive to one of the widersurfaces. and thenbind. this group together as by wrapping or windinga cord 15 thereon to hold them in this position until they set hard.

The grouping together is best shown in -Fig.

these segmental parts are grouped together N that the enameled portions 4 of all strips extend radially of the group and that the grain in each segment does not extend radially, but

extends parallel with its own enamel portion.

After the group has been set, into assembled ,either the shaft of agolf club, apart ofa.

casting rod, a walking stick or any other desirable shape. Such a shaft 15 easily formed and doeslnotzsplit or. crack and leayes'a'sur face which will take a high finish. I ThusI have a structure which no matter which way .to a straight position.

itis bent, must bend in the? plane of substantially two or more oppos sitclyw disposed enammore tough thanthe remaining parts, are so supple and springyasto immediately return The finished shaft has, that vvhip desired golf club shafts andcas ting. rods, and'it. is

not only light in Weight: butfis exceedingly strong and Waterproof soas to lllSLllQlODg service in use. r I 1 While in describing my invent on 7 l have referred (in detail tothe arrangement and lining pressure,- v making each stiipfivedge form of the various parts as Well as to the various steps sequences thereof,'the same is only to be considered by Way of illustration only so that I do not Wish tobe limited thereto except as may be pointed out in the appended claims,

I claim as my inventlonz 1. The method cf'makino' a built up shaft or rod and the like which consists in providing a length of straight grained fibrous material, spiltting the same with the grain into a plurality of strips, straightening each strip by a confining pressure, making each strip Wedge shaped in cross section, applying anadhesive to said Wedge shaped strip',and then groupinga full complement of said Wedge shaped strips about a common axis to provide said built up shaft or rod.

2. The method of makinga built up shaft or rod and the like which consists in providing a length of straight grainec fibrous material, splitting the same with the grain into a plurality of strips, straightening each strip by a confining pressure, making each strip Wedge shaped in cross section, applying an adhesive to said Wedge shaped strips, grouping a full complement of such Wedge shaped strips about a-common axis to provide a built up shaft or red and then turning the same to shape.

3. The method of making a built up shaft or red and the like Which consists in providing a length of straight grained fibrous material, s Jlitting the same with the grain into a plurality of strips, impregnating each strip to solidify thesame and then straightening each strip by a confining pressure, making each strip Wedge shaped in cross section, applying an adhesive to said Wedge shaped strips, and then grouping a full complement of said Wedge shaped strips about a common axis to provide a built up shaft or rod.

f. The method of making a built up shaft or rod and the like whi h consists in provid-' ing a length of straight grained fibrous material, splitting the same with the into a plurality of strips, of substantially rectangular cross section,'straightening each strip by confining action and correcting the rectangular cross section thereof, split ing each rectangular corrected strip along the plane of its diagonally opposite corners to pr i st p p r s '5 e g eP d1-- r s.

section, applying :an; adhesive to the vedge eled parts. Thus these enameled parts being sha-ped'str ps, grouping a full complement of such Wedge shaped strips about a comm'on (3X18itQPlfOVlClGliillQl builtup shaft or red and then turn ng thesame to size and shape.

,5. The method ofmaking a b iltup-sliaft 'orrod which consists gprovidingra length of bamboo, removing the nodes therefrom, f splitting the same along the grain int strips and removing the diaphragm therefrom,

straightening and flatting each stripby acoushapedwvitli the enamel; of the bamboo on one or rod which consists in'providing a length of bamboo, removing the nodes therefrom, splitting the same along the grain into strips and removing the diaphragm therefrom,

straightening and fiatting each strip by a confining pressure, removing one half of each strip along a diagonal plane extending between diametrically' opposite corners to provide a strip of Wedge shaped cross section with the enamel occupying one tapering side there.-'

6. The method of making a built up shaft of, applying an adhesive to said tapering surfaces and grouping a full complement of such Wedge shaped strips about a common axis to provide a built up structure and then turningthe same to size.

or rod Whichconsists in providing a length of bamboo, removing the nodes from the exterior ,thereof, splitting it along the grain into strips and removing the diaphragm parts therefrom, impregnating the strips to solidify the fibrous structure thereof straightening and flattening each strip by a confining pressure making each strip edge shaped in cross section with the natural enamel on one of the tapering faces thereof, applying an adhesive to each strip, grouping afull complement of such strips about a common axis With all ta pering'faces arranged radially of said axis to provide a built up shaft and then turning the same to size. a I r v 8. The method of making a built up shaft or rod Which consists in providing a length of bamboo, removing the nodes from the exterior thereof, splitting it along the grain into strips and removin the: dia hra m arts therefrom, impregnating the strips to solidify the fibrous structure thereof, straightening and flattening each strip under a confining pressure, and cutting each? strip longitudinally along a plane extending through diagonally opposite corners, thus providing a Wedge shaped strip With the natural enamel on one 7. The method of making a'built up shaft of the tapering faces thereof, applying an,

adhesive to said strips and grouping a full said axis to provide :a

complement thereof about "a common axis with the tapered faces disposed radially of built up shaft blank and then turning the sameto size.

9. A built up bamboo shaft composed of a plurality of Wedge shaped split strips plurality of ,Wedge shaped stripsgrouped abouta common axis and cemented together with the taperedfacesof said strips disposed radially and with the natural enamel of the bamboo forming at least one of such surfaces for each strip. I r

11'. A built up'bamboo shaftjcornposed of a plurality of Wedge shaped stripsfgrouped about a common axis and cemented together 'Withlthe tapered faces of said strips disposed radially and with the natural enamel of the bamboo formingat least one of such surfaces for each strip, each strip being impre n t d to solidify the fibers thereof. 1

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 3rd day of J une, 1927, I p

, 'rHEoDoRfWENsEn 

